Diego The Loverboy Sires Over 800 Baby Tortoises, Saves His Species

Some acquire greatness through intellect or unbridled creativity. But Diego the tortoise sexed his way into legend.
Image: Brad Perkins/Flickr

Diego, 100, is a rare breed of tortoise called Chelonoidis hoodensis. These animals are so rare that they only exist on one of the oldest islands in the Galápagos. In 1976, when Diego was living at the San Diego Zoo, scientists realised that this handsome hero in a half shell was actually one of the last remaining tortoises of the Chelonoidis hoodensis species. Diego then became the dominant male in a captive breeding program in the Galápagos.

Over the decades, Diego has sired more than 800 offspring and effectively saved his entire species from extinction. For his efforts, he quickly became an internet celebrity, receiving the honorary title of "Fuck Tortoise":

Of over 2000 tortoises that now live on the island, and Diego is the father of 40 per cent of them. Experts expect that 5000 tortoises used to live on the island at one point. Sadly, three species of giant tortoise in the Galápagos have already gone extinct, with the latest species lost just four years ago. But thanks to Diego, Chelonoidis hoodensis hopefully won't share a similar fate.

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